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OklahomaSB 731Oklahoma 2026 Regular SessionSenate

Oklahoma Evidence Code; modifying certain hearsay exception to include statements by vulnerable adults. Effective date.

Sponsored By: Brenda Stanley (Republican)

Became Law

Senate Committee

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

More court evidence from vulnerable adults

Beginning November 1, 2025, Oklahoma expands its hearsay exception to include out-of-court statements by vulnerable adults defined in state law. Statements can describe abuse, neglect, helping abuse or neglect occur, sexual contact, other listed conduct, or serious bodily injury. Statements about harm to others, including death, must describe acts or omissions the adult witnessed. The exception covers child protection cases, criminal and juvenile delinquency trials, and specified hearings before and after trial. These include preliminary hearings, hearings on whether to prosecute, probation revocation, and acceleration of deferred judgments. At trial, the adult must testify, or admission must meet the law's witness-unavailability requirements. Statements not treated as testimony can also qualify when the court makes that finding and the applicable evidence requirements are met. Criminal discovery rules govern disclosure and notice.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Brenda Stanley

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Nicole Miller

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 160 • No: 0

House vote • 5/6/2025

THIRD READING

Yes: 94 • No: 0

House vote • 4/17/2025

DO PASS

Yes: 12 • No: 0

House vote • 4/8/2025

DO PASS

Yes: 4 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/11/2025

THIRD READING

Yes: 42 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/11/2025

Committee vote: Judiciary

Yes: 8 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Becomes law without Governor's signature 05/14/2025

    5/14/2025Senate

  2. Sent to Governor

    5/7/2025Senate

  3. Signed, returned to Senate

    5/7/2025House

  4. Enrolled, to House

    5/7/2025Senate

  5. Referred for enrollment

    5/6/2025Senate

  6. Signed, returned to Senate

    5/6/2025House

  7. Third Reading, Measure passed: Ayes: 94 Nays: 0

    5/6/2025House

  8. General Order

    5/6/2025House

  9. CR; Do Pass Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight Committee

    4/17/2025House

  10. Policy recommendation to the Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight committee; Do Pass Criminal Judiciary

    4/8/2025House

  11. Referred to Criminal Judiciary

    4/1/2025House

  12. Second Reading referred to Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight

    4/1/2025House

  13. First Reading

    3/12/2025House

  14. Engrossed to House

    3/12/2025Senate

  15. Referred for engrossment

    3/11/2025Senate

  16. Measure passed: Ayes: 42 Nays: 0

    3/11/2025Senate

  17. General Order, Considered

    3/11/2025Senate

  18. Placed on General Order

    2/13/2025Senate

  19. Reported Do Pass Judiciary committee; CR filed

    2/11/2025Senate

  20. Second Reading referred to Judiciary

    2/4/2025Senate

  21. Coauthored by Representative Miller (principal House author)

    2/3/2025Senate

  22. Authored by Senator Stanley

    2/3/2025Senate

  23. First Reading

    2/3/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Enrolled (final version)

    5/7/2025

    PDF

  • Floor (House)

    4/21/2025

    PDF

  • House Committee Report

    4/17/2025

    PDF

  • House Policy Committee Report

    4/8/2025

    PDF

  • Engrossed

    3/12/2025

    PDF

  • Floor (Senate)

    2/13/2025

    PDF

  • Senate Committee Report

    2/11/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    1/15/2025

    PDF

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